7 way vs. brake controller??
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Topic: 7 way vs. brake controller??
Posted By: Satellitephotog
Subject: 7 way vs. brake controller??
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 1:57am
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Hello!! We are in the process of buying a 2016- rP 178 with TV of a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. If I get a 7 way connection installed on my jeep does that mean I'll automatically have brake controls on the Rpod by only installing the 7way? Ive asked two camper dealers and three jeep dealers and I cant get a straight answer from anyone.
ANY Input you can give me about what I need to do convert my vehicle to be properly prepared would be much appreciated. The dealer also recommended that I get a weight sistribution hitch which also includes a sway bar. My TV can take a max of 3500 lbs to tow and 350 on the tongue. Thanks for your help in advance. |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 5:06am
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The 7-pin connector does not mean you will have brakes. You need the 7-pin connector in order to have brakes, but you have to have a brake controller installed to make it work. This could be as easy as a plug and play installation or it could require some rather involved wiring, depending on what your vehicle already has in the way of a towing package. Most folks like Tekonsha brake controllers, which are about $75 to $150 going from memory. Plus installation. The WDH and sway bars are generally considered to be a good idea too. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 5:58pm
No, they're not the same thing. You need a brake controller as well; its very important. And don't cheap out - pay the extra $100 bucks or so and get a Tekonsha Prodigy. Because if you don't, in about a month's time you'll be tossing out the cheap one and buying a Tekonsha anyway.
You could squeeze by without them... but, once the trailer is loaded up and you load up the back of the jeep with gear as well, you're going to be pushing that tongue weight tolerance which leads to some white-knuckle porpoising. The sway bar is touching on being an essential as well - you'll certainly be grateful for it when you're driving in a gusty crosswind, or when being passed by a couple of tractor-trailers. Talk to your dealer and see what kind of a discount he'll give you on the brake controller and weight distribution/sway control. I know the money starts to add up fast, but you'll be glad you spent it. Think of it as buying a toilet without a toilet seat - you could get by without it, but its a heck of a lot easier if you buy the seat as well. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2015 at 10:44am
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Get yourself a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 with connector cable from etrailer.com. That's what I did and glad I did it.
To WDH/sway or not is the proverbial "Ginger or Mary Ann" question... BTW, when I get confronted with a "Ginger or Mary Ann" scenario, I go off the board and take Mrs. Howell. She's rich, experienced, and there's probably a good reason they call her Lovie.  ------------- 2010 R-Pod RP-171 2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2015 at 7:08pm
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Welcome. +1 on the above. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Satellitephotog
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2015 at 8:06pm
| Thank you all for the awesome advice!!!im much more confident about the whole situation now. Thank you. |